Speed-governing mechanism



Jan. 24, 1939.` G. KELLER-JR 2,145,117

` SPEED GOVERNLNG MECHANISM Filed Aug. 51, 1957 GeoPgeVKellePr;

by His Attorrwey.

' of the speed-transmission ratio, the elements Patented Jan. 24, 1939 UNITED STATES 2,145,117 SPEED-'GOVERNING MEcHANTsM George V. Keller, Jr., Lynn, Mass., assigner to General Elcctric .Company, a corporation of New York Application August 31,1937, Serial No. 161,765

10'Claims.

The present invention relates to speed-governing mechanisms for controlling an engine or prime mover within a wide range of speed. As the speed range of agovernor is limited, it becomes at times necessary to provide between such governor and the'engine or prime mover to be controlled a variable speed-gearing or speed changing device whereby `for instance the speed of the prime mover may be varied within a range of 1:10 or-more for a range of governor speed of 1:3 only. -The gearing between the prime mover shaft and the governor may be of any known mechanical type or it may be in the form of an electrical gearing as disclosed in the copending application of S. N.-Hedman, Serial No. 55,263, filed December 19, 1935, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. Whenever the speed-varying means between the prime mover shaft and the speed governor is of a type which does not permit gradual variation actuated by the speed governor are subject to considerable changes of their position whenever the speed-transmission ratio between the prime mover shaft and the governor is changed.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved construction and arrangement of speed-.governing mechanisms in which means are provided for minimizing undesirable effects of changes of thespeed-transmission ratio of the variable speed-gearing between the prime mover shaft andlthe governor. `'Ihis is accomplished by my invention by the provision of means for automatically positioning certain elements of the I speed-governingmechanism such as a follow-up lever in response to changes of the speed-transmission ratio of the variable speed-gearing between the speed governor and the prime mover shaft. i

For a consideration of what I believe to be novel andY my invention, attentionis directed to the following description and the claims appended thereto in connection with the accom-A panying drawing. l

The single gure of the drawing shows a simplied diagrammatic view of an arrangement embodying my invention.

'Ihe arrangement of the drawing comprises an elastic uid turbine I0 having an inlet valve II -for controlling the ow of elastic uid thereto and a governing mechanism. including a centrifugal type speed governor I2 for controlling the inlet valve in response to speed changes. This type of governor ordinarily permits acv'crte control of the valve within a speed range of about1:3. Thus, it may accurately control` the turbine atspeeds of from 500 to 1 500 R. P. M.

In order to permit a wider speed range for the turbine, a variable speed-gearing is provided'between the turbine shaft and the governor I2 so that the turbine' may be operated and accurately controlled at speeds of from 500 to 5000 R. P. M. or more while the speed range of the governor lwill remain between 500 to 1500 R. P. M. This variable speed-gearing in the present instance has been shown in the form of an electrical gearing comprising a 4-pole A. C. synchonous generator I3 and an 8-pole synchronous A. C. generator I4.' both driven through a gearing I5, I6 from the turbine shaft. The governor I2 is `driven by an A. C. synchronous motor I1 which may be connected by an electric circuit including a conductor I8 and switches I9 and 20 to the conductors 2I and 22 of the generators I3, I 4. During low speed operation'of the turbine I0 the switch I9 is closed to connect the 8-po1e generator-I4 to the motor I1, and during high speed operation of the turbine I0 the switch 20 is closed to connect the 4-po1e generator I3 to thegovernor motor I1. The'arrngement as will be described hereinafter is such that only one of the switches I9, 20 will be closed at a time so that the motor I1 is connected either by the switch I9 to the 8pole generator I4 or by the switch 20 to the 4-pole generator I3. The governor I2 is connected to the valve heads 23 of a. pilot valve 24, which latter has inlet and outlet ports 25 and a bushing 26 connected to an intermediate point oa governor lever 21. The pilot valve 24 serves to control the iow of actuating fluid to a hydraulic motor 28 which has a piston 29 with a stem connected to the right-hand end of the lever 21. Anl extension of the stem is connected to. the valve II. Assuming that the left-hand endof the lever 21 is fulcrumed, then during operation an increase in speed causes downward movement of the pilot valve head 23 whereby operating :duid is discharged from the hydraulic motor 28, thus permitting downward movement of the piston 29A and closing of the AVvalve II. A This movement causes through the lever 21l downward movement of the bushing 26 whereby the`neutralposition of the pilot valve 24 is restored. Similarly, a decrease 'in speed causes opening of the valve II with the various elements moving in a. direction opposite to that described hereinbefore. A

The operation so far described-.is that of any ordinary governing mechanism.'- Let us assume that the switch 20 is closed so that the governor motor I1 is energized from the 4^-pole generator I4. If under such a condition the speed of the turbine and accordingly the governor reaches a certain value, it becomes necessary to open the switch and to close the'switch I9, that is, to

change the'Y speed-transmission ratio ofthe elecof the variable speed-gearing. These means are Y combined with a remote control mechanism for remotely setting the speed oi the turbine. This speed-setting mechanism comprises a reversing motor connected by conductors 3| and pushbuttons 32, 33 to an electric line 34. Closing of the push-button 32 causes rotation of the motor 36 in one directionand closing of the push-button 33 causes operation of the motor'ln the reverse direction. Rotation of the motor is transmitted by a worm gearing 35 to a spindle 36. The

' upper portion ofthe spindle 36 is surrounded by a sleeve 31. The arrangement is such that rotation of the spindle 36 causes rotation of the sleeve 31. At the same time the sleeve 31 may be moved axially up or down without affecting the spindle 36. To this end a key 38 is secured to the spindle 36 and projects into a keyway 39 in the inner surface of the sleeve 31. If the sleeve is moved up and down, the key 38 remaining in position slides relatively along the keyway 39. However, rotation of the spindle 36 is positively transmitted through the ky 38 to the sleeve 31. The upper portion of the sleeve has a 'screw-thread 40, a lower stop 4I and an upper stop 42. A nut 43 is screwed on to the thread 40 and connected by a pivot 44 to the left-hand end of the governor lever 21.

I With this arrangement, closing of one of the push-buttons 32, 33 causes through the motor 30 'rotation of the sleeve 31 whereby the nut 43 travels up or down, depending upon which pushbutton is closed. Thus, if it is desired to increase the speed of the turbine, one of the push-buttons is closed to effect downward movement of the nut 43 whereby the left-hand end of the lever 21 and accordingly the pilot valve bushing 26 are moved downward, thus permitting thefiiow of operating fluid under pressure through the inlet port 25 of the pilot valve to the hydraulic motor 28, re.

sulting in opening movement of the turbine inlet valve II.:- Thus, in this particular arrangement, the positioning of the nut 43, that is, the lefthand end of the lever 21 causes a change in turbine speed. The movement of the nut -43 is utilized to effect a change inthe speed-transmission ratio of the electrical variable gearing I3, I4, I1. More speciiically, means are provided for automatically changing said 'ratio as the nut 43 reaches certain lend positions. In the present exarm 53.

thus closing of the switch 20 to connect the generator I3 to the motor I1. If the snapswitch is moved downward to close contacts 48, the switch I9 will be closed and the switch 20 opened. Positioning of the snapswitch is effected by means including an actuating member 53 in the form of an arm rigidly secured to the nut 43 vand stops 54 and 55 secured to the stem of the contact-making member 46 and cooperatively vassociated with the Thus, downward movement of the nut 43 in the present instance in a certain position of the nut will effect reversing of the snapswitch position. Thus, a change of the speed-transmission ratio of the electrical variable speed-gearing I3, I4, I1 is automatically effected' as the speed, more speciflcially the position of the nut 43, reaches certain limits. As stated above, means are provided whereby the position of the governor lever 21, more specically the nut 43, is automatically changed or adjusted upon a change in speed-transmission ratio4 of the electrical gearing. This means comprises a hydraulic motor 56 having a casing 51-with a piston 58 connected to a stem 59. The piston is biased in downward direction by a. spring fll.A The lower endposition of the piston is determined by a stop 6I and the upper end position of the piston is determined by a stop in the form of an adjustable sleeve-62 screwedinto the upper end of the cylinder-51. Actuating fluid under pressure, such asoil, may be conducted into the lower end of e cylinder A51 by a pilot valve 63 having a valve head 64 connected to a solenoid 65 which latter has a coil 66 connected in parallel'to the coil of the solenoid 49. Thus, whenever solenoid'49 is energized and the switch 20 closed, the coil '66 of the solenoid 65 is energized t'o hold the pilot valve headI 64 in an upper position in which actuating fluid under pressure is 'supplied to the cylinder 51 to force the piston 58 into its upper end position, that is,

into contact with the stop 62 and vice-versa, whenever solenoid 49 is disconnected the solenoid 65 is de-ener'gized and-the pilot valve head 64 moved into a position in which actuating fluid in the cylinder 51 is drained and thereby the piston 58 moved into its lowerv end position to engage-the stop 6I. Y

`The-upperJ end of the hydraulic motor stem 59 is pivotd to the left-hand end of a lever 61, which latter has a right-hand'end supported on a fulcrum V68 and an intermediate portion 69 disposed between two. rings 10 and 1I secured to andforming part of the sleeve 31. With this arrangement, upward movement ofthe piston 58 causes upward turning of the lever 61 whereby the sleeve 31x together with the nut 43 are moved into an upper end position and vice-versa, downward movement of the piston 58 of the hydraulic motor causes downward movement of the sleeve .31 into a lower end position. Thus, with my invention setting of the speed of the' turbine or prime mover causesA upon reaching of a certain speedautomatic change of thespeed-transmission ratio of the-gearing between the prime mover and the governor and simultaneously automatic setting of the governor lever. v

Having described the method of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now considerv to represent the best embodiment thereof, I desire to hav it understood that the apparatus shown is only lustrative and that the invention may be carried out by other means.

by the governor for positioning an element to be controlled, and other means for adjusting the last-named means to reduce movement of such element in response to any abrupt change in speed-transmission ratio of the variable speed gearing.

2. A speed-governing mechanism including the combination of a speed governor, variable speedchanging means for driving the governor from an engine to be controlled, means for transmitting movement from the governor to an element. of such engine, and means for automatically adjusting the last-named means to reduce movement of such engine element in response to any abrupt change of speed ratio of the variable speed.

changing means.

3. A speed-governing mechanism including the combination of a governor, a variable speed gearing for driving the governor from an engine to be controlled, means including a pilot valve positioned by the governor and a hydraulic motor controlled by the pilot valve for positioning an engine element in response to speed changes, and auxiliary means for positioning the last-named means to reduce movement of such engine ele-1` ment in response to abrupt changes of the ratio of the variable speed gearing.

4. A speed-governing mechanism` including the combination of a speed-governor, variable speed gearing for driving the governor from an engine to be controlled, a pilot valve positioned by the governor, a hydraulic motor controlled by the pilot valve for positioning an engine element to be controlled, a follow-up lever connecting the pilot valve to the motor, and means for automatically positioning the lever in response to changes of the speed ratio of the variable speed gearing.

5. A speed-governing mechanism including the combination of a speed governor, electrical motor means for driving the governor, electrical generator means responsive to speed changes of an engine to be controlled for energizing the motor means, an electric circuit for the generator and motor means including switching elements for varying the relative speed between the generator land motor means, means including a pilot valve 6. A speed-governing mechanism including the combination of a speed governor, electrical motor means for driving the governor, electrical generator means responsive to speed changes of an engine to be controlled for energizing the motor means, an electric circuit for the generator and motor means including switching elements for varying the speed ratio between the generator and motor means, means including a pilot valve and a follow-up lever for transmitting motion from the speed governor to an engine element to be controlled, remote control means for adjusting the lever, and other means for adjusting the lever in response to variation of the speed ratio be,- tween the generator and motor means by-actuation of the switching means.l A

7. A speed-governing mechanism including the combination of a speed governor, electrical motor means for driving the governor, electrical generator means responsive to speed changes of an engine to be controlled for energizing the motor means, an electric circuit for the generator and motor means including switching elements for varying the speed ratio between the generator and motor means, means including a pilot valve and a follow-*up lever for transmitting motion from the speed governor to an engine element to be controlled, remote control means for adjusting the lever, and other means actuated in response to setting of the lever by the remote control means to change the relative speed between the generator and motor means.

8. A speed-governing mechanism including the combination of a speed governor, electrical motor means for driving the governor, electrical generator means responsive to speed changes of an engine to be controlled for energizing the motor means, an electric circuit for the generator and motor means including switching elements for varying the speed ratio between the generator and motor means, means including a pilot valve and a follow-up lever for transmitting motion from the speed governor to an element to be controlled, remote control means for adjusting the lever, other means actuated in response to setting of the lever by the remote control means to 4change the speed ratio between the generator and motor means, and auxiliary means interconnected with the last-named means to reduce movement oi' the pilot valve in response to a change of the speed ratio between the generator and motor means.

9. A speed-governing mechanism including the combination of a governor, a variable speed gearing vfor driving the governor from an engine to 'be controlled, means including a pilot valve connected to the governor and a lever connected to the pilot valve for positioning an engine element to be controlled, remote control means connected to the lever for remotely controlling the engine speed, means associated with the lever for changing the speed ratio of the variable gearing as the lever reachesa certain position, and means interconnected with the last-named means for positioning the lever upon a change of the speed ratio of the variable speed gearing. v

10. A speed-governing mechanism including the combination of a governor, a variable speed gearing for driving the governor from an engine Ito be controlled, means including a pilot valve connected to the governor and a lever connected to the pilot valve for positioning an engine element to be controlled, means for remotely controlling the engine speed comprising a reversing motor, a spindle driven from the reversing motor, a sleeve surrounding the `spindle and a key between the spindle and the sleeve to eilect rotation of the sleeve in response to rotation of the spindle and to permit relative axial movement between the spindle and the sleeve, a nut member threaded onto the sleeve and connected to the lever, means for automatically changing the speed ratio as the nut member reaches a/ certain position, and means for automatically positioning the lever in response to a change of speed ratio,

-said last-'named means comprising a lever connected to the sleeve to slide the sleeve axiallyA GEORGE V. KELLER, JR. 

